In the negatively reinforcing cycle that is the weak global economy and the gyrating equity markets, it’s difficult to know which is cause and effect (and they both could be both).

For businesses in Rhode Island, how much of an effect does the stock market have on how they operate? Is your business exposed to markets in the rest of the world that aren’t quite sure if they are failing, treading water or growing? Are you having trouble coaxing operating capital out of lenders who are hoarding cash as a hedge against a double-dip recession?

Or are your customers so locally focused, that all that noise in the rest of the world has no effect on how well you are doing in the Ocean State?

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.